Mining-machine.



No. 635,909. Patented Oct. 3|, I899.

H. H. BLISS.

MINING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 28, 1894. Renewed Oct. 14, 1898.) (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

15w! an]? r No. 635,909 Patented Oct. 3!,1899. H. H. BLISS.

MINING MACHINE.

(AppIica-tion filed Apr. 98, 1894. Renewed Oct. 14 1896.) 7 (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

1 Wl////// M L El No. s35,9o9.- Patented Oct. 3I, I899. H. H. BLISS.

MINING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 28, 1894. Renewed Oct/14, 1898.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

m: uomzfs IETERS 00., Pubrouma. msnmmom n. c.

1 Uiv TE STATES PATENT Grrrcn.

HENRY H. BLISS, OF 'WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

MINING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,909, dated October 31, 1899.

Application filed April 28, 1894. Renewed October 14, 1896. Serial No. 608,889. (No model.)

To wZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY H. BLISS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Mining-Machines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,- and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of 'this specification.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a sufficient part of a mining-machine to illustrate the manner of applying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line no ag'Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line y 3 Fig. 1, showing also parts in the rear of the framework. Fig. 8 is a perspective of the shoe detached. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a modified form. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the same. Fig; 6 is a plan view showing also the rear part of the bed, the carriage, and the motor-engine. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the shoe detached. Fig. 7 is a side elevation.

In the drawings a bed-frame and a carriage are shown more or less similar to others heretofore used, the side parts of the bed being indicated by A and the carriage by B On the rear part of the latter is mounted the motor or engine 0, having gearing for effect ing the movement of the chain D with the cutters d and also gearing for effecting the advance of the carriage and the cutting apparatus.

The front part of the cutting apparatus is supported on one or more cross-bars E, secured to one or more longitudinal bars F. As shown, there is a single central longitudinal bar F passing through aguide at f, secured to one of the cross-bars B of the bed.

The cutters d are so arranged as to form a kerf, having the part G above the carriage and the part G below. As the cutting apparatus moves forward it has no support at the front except that which it receives from the cutters d. r I overcome the difficulties incident to this fact by placing a support below the front end of the carriage, which rests upon the floor of the cut and the main body of which moves in the chamber G below the carriage. 'I am aware that a sliding shoe at this point is not broadly novel; but I have succeeded in simplifying this part of the machine in so constructing the carriage-support that it shall also prevent any lateral movevment of the apparatus from the reaction of the chain cutters d.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 I provide a shoe, (indicated as a whole by II.) It is secured by a boltv or pin at h, which passes up through the front part of the carriage. This bolt or pin can be angular in section to prevent turning or can be supplemented by a stud or projection, as h, to hold it in proper line. The shoeis provided with a fin or rib 7L2, which at the front end terminates in a nose orpoint 71 adapted to form a path for the rib. The latter engages with a sufficient portion of the coal on the bottom to prevent the cutting apparatus from beingmoved laterally by the thrust of the chain. The horizontally-expanded part h of the shoe acts to prevent the nose h or the rib 72 from sinking too deeply. The nose 71. is preferably beveled on two lines, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 3*, so that it will easily enter the material and will also move it somewhat laterally. The fiat part of the shoe is also beveled, as at h", to move the cuttings laterally and prevent them from crowding below the shoe. The holding device in this case is so arranged that not only do I provide for a simple construction of parts, but, moreover, utilize the tendency of the carriage-frame to move downward under its gravity or from other cause to insure the engagement with the coal of the holder.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 a modification is shown. Here the shoe II is bent or twisted somewhat from the horizontal plane to an inclined position, and in such case two are employed, one under each end of the machine. As soon as the cutting apparatus tends to move laterally the lower edges 71 of the shoes begin to press into the floor'and'serve as abutments to such lateral movement. The shoes are so shaped that the lower edges it will be normally slightly below the lowest horizontal plane of the chain cutters and the upper edges 72 are slightly above, the result being that if the tendency to lateral movement at any time continues over any considerable period the resisting action of the shoes is increased. The shoe here is fastened to the under side of the chain-support by one or more bolts or equivalents, as at h, the shoe having nuts or heads at 7t". The flat portion or body part of the shoe acts to ride easily along the floor of the cut and give the desired vertical support. By employing two arranged as described t-hefront end of the machine is properly supported and no vibrating or torsional action is experienced.

I do not claim, broadly, the combination, with a chain cutter and the carriage-frame which support-s it, of a shoe or projection extcndin g downward from the carriage and adapted to rest on the bottom of the kerf, whether the shoe or projection is formed separately from the carriage and secured thereto or is formed integral with the metal of the carriage or cross-head, as so far as I know I believe that to be the invention of II. I3. Dierdorff; but I am not aware of the fact that the twofold purpose which I accomplish by the devices herein has been heretofore attained by having a shoe or downward-projecting support secured to or formed with the front part of the carriage in conjunction with a cutting or penetrating edge or rib arranged to have its extent of penetration governed by the shoe or projection and adapted to prevent or assist in preventing the lateral reaction of the carriage under the thrust experienced from the cutters when engaging with the coal.

I am also aware of the fact that a machine of this sort has been constructed to have the carriage held against lateral displacement by means of devices pressing upward against the coal at the top of the main kerf and opposing devices pressing against the coal at the bottom of the kerf; but under many circumstances I have found that the pressure incident to such holding means and the loss of power incident to the overcoming of the resistance against the advance of the carriage are disadvantageous and that all the necessary requirements can be met by having a holding-cutter, such as that at h 7L3 herein, so arranged that it shall tend to slightly sink into the bottom coal, and thus avoid the tendency to elevate the carriage, and by combining with it a stop of the nature of the shoe part herein, which prevents it from penetrating too deeply. If at any time a serious obstruction should be encountered, there can be a slight temporary rising, and immediately after passing the obstruction the shoe and cutter at 7L3 tend to again assume the proper line of travel, as the cutting part proper, 71 is by preference shaped in such way as to induce constantly a slight tendency to draw downward; but in all of these respects there can be modifications to meet the various conditions experienced.

The motor and the gearing actuated thereby for moving the chain or for advancing and withdrawing the carriage, the chainguide K, and other parts need not be described here in detail, as they are now well known, those illustrated being similar to the ones used in the machine constructed by II. B. Dierdorff.

Vhat I claim is 1. The combination with the chain provided with laterally-actin g cutters, and the carriage having the frame E, E, F, at the front supporting the chain, and of a vertical dimension less than the kerf produced by the cutters, of the frame-support below the front end of the carriage and adapted to ride on the floor of the cut to hold the front end of the carriage in proper horizontal lines and provided with means which are caused by the tendency of the carriage-frame to move downward to penetrate the said floor and prevent lateral motion of the frame, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the laterally-acting cutter-chain, the carriage which supports it, and the cutters in the chain arranged to form a kerf extending below the bottom of the carriage, of the sliding shoe II having a rib or fin adapted to penetrate the floor of the cut and adapted to limit the penetration of the rib, substantially as set forth.

8. In a mining-m achine of the character described, having a bed, and a traveling carriage with a cutter-chain thereon provided with cutters adapted to form a horizontal kerf which extends normally below the bottom of the chain-carrier, the combination with said chain-frame, of a shoe or support therefor which rests upon the bottom of the main chainkerf, and holds the forward or outer end of the carrier in line with the bed-guide and takes its weight, and means below the carrier and held down by the gravity thereof for entering and positively engaging with the coal below the bottom of the main chain-kerf, substantially as set forth.

4:. In a chain-cutter mining-machine, the combination of a bed, a carriage having a chain frame or carrier, a chain mounted on the said frame or carrier, cutters secured to the said chain and arranged to form a horizontal kerf of a vertical dimension greater than that of the chain-carrier, said carrier and chain being adapted to be projected into the coal to positions remote from the bed, a shoe or support beneath and carried by the chaincarrier and extending to the bottom of the said free space and resting upon the bottom of the main chain-kerf and having below the surface or part which rests upon said bottom a relativelysharpened edge or projection adapted to enter and engage with the coal below the bottom of the kerf, substantially as set forth.

5. In a mining-machine of the class described, having a bed, a carriage, a chain-support, a chain thereon, and cuttersin said chain adapted to cut a path for the carrier, the combination with the carrier, of a plate, as at H,

detachably secured to the under side of the ln'testinlony whereof I affix my signature carrierand havinga surface which rests upon in presence of two Witnesses.

the bottom of the chain-kerf and a sharpened rib or edge, as at hiedapted to partially en- HENRY BLISS 5 ter and engage with the coal below the bot- Witnesses:

tom of the main kerf, substantially as set MARCUS B. MAY,

forth. WILLIAM E. NEFF. 

